When your body makes too much hyperprolactinaemia, a condition where prolactin levels rise abnormally in the bloodstream. Also known as high prolactin, it can mess with your hormones, sex drive, and even your ability to get pregnant—or stay pregnant. This isn’t just a women’s issue. Men get it too, and they often don’t realize it until they lose libido, develop breast tissue, or can’t get an erection.
Prolactin, a hormone made by the pituitary gland that normally triggers milk production after childbirth shouldn’t be running high when you’re not nursing. But many common drugs push it up. Dopamine agonists, medications that normally lower prolactin by mimicking dopamine are used to treat it—but ironically, drugs like antipsychotics, antidepressants, and even some blood pressure pills can stop dopamine from doing its job, causing prolactin to spike. That’s why someone on risperidone or metoclopramide might suddenly have milk coming from their breasts, even if they’ve never had a baby.
Not all cases come from meds. A tiny, harmless pituitary tumor, a noncancerous growth in the brain’s hormone factory called a prolactinoma is the most common natural cause. It’s usually found after someone goes to the doctor for infertility, irregular periods, or unexplained headaches. Blood tests catch it early. MRI scans confirm it. And most of the time, it’s treatable without surgery—just pills that shrink the tumor and reset hormone levels.
Thyroid problems can also trigger high prolactin. If your thyroid is underactive, your body overproduces TRH, which accidentally tells the pituitary to make more prolactin. Fix the thyroid, and the prolactin often drops on its own. That’s why doctors always check TSH before jumping to conclusions.
What you won’t find in most guides: hyperprolactinaemia doesn’t always cause obvious symptoms. Some people feel fine. Others get migraines, fatigue, or bone loss over time because estrogen and testosterone get suppressed. It’s not just about milk or sex drive—it’s about your whole hormonal balance. And if you’re on long-term meds for mental health, autoimmune disease, or even nausea, you might be at risk without knowing it.
The good news? Most cases are reversible. Stop the offending drug, treat the tumor, fix the thyroid—and prolactin levels often return to normal. But you need to test for it. If you’ve been told your period is "just irregular" or your low libido is "stress," ask for a prolactin blood test. It’s simple, cheap, and could explain a lot.
Below, you’ll find real patient experiences and clinical insights from posts that dig into how medications, hormone imbalances, and hidden conditions link to hyperprolactinaemia. No fluff. Just what works, what doesn’t, and what your doctor might not tell you.
Nutrition plays a key role in managing hyperprolactinaemia by supporting dopamine production and reducing prolactin-triggering foods. Learn which foods help and which to avoid for natural hormone balance.
